Gaming machine executing effects using symbols and control method thereof

1. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying an image; a memory which stores image data respectively showing a first specific symbol, a second specific symbol different from said first specific symbol, and other symbols different from both said first specific symbol and said second specific symbol; and a controller, said controller programmed so as to execute the processing of (a) displaying to said display a rectangular symbol display region in which a plurality of display blocks are arranged in a longitudinal direction and a traverse direction to form a matrix, (b) rearranging a symbol, shown by image data stored in said memory, in each display block of said symbol display region, by scroll-displaying groups of the display blocks in the longitudinal direction on a group-by-group basis, each of which groups formed by an array of the display blocks in the longitudinal direction, (c) determining whether or not to display a specific character image relative to said symbol, to said display, (d) scroll-displaying said specific character image to said display in the transverse direction, performing an effect of rotating an image displayed in each display block having said second specific symbol rearranged therein around an imaginary central line of each display block as a rotational axis, and changing said second specific symbol rearranged in the each display block into said first specific symbol, the above-mentioned steps of scroll-displaying said specific character image, performing an effect, and changing said second specific symbol being conducted when said first specific symbol and said second specific symbol have been rearranged in any of the groups of the display blocks in said processing (b) and also when it has been determined in said processing (c) to display said specific character image, and (e) offering an award in accordance with the number of first specific symbols arranged in said symbol display region as a result of said processing (d).

2. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying an image; a memory which stores image data respectively showing a first specific symbol, a second specific symbol different from said first specific symbol, and other symbols different from both said first specific symbol and said second specific symbol; and a controller, said controller programmed so as to execute the processing of (a) displaying to said display a symbol display region in which a plurality of display blocks are arranged in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction to form a matrix, (b) rearranging a symbol, shown by image data stored in said memory, in each display block of said symbol display region, by scroll-displaying groups of the display blocks in the longitudinal direction on a group-by-group basis, each of which groups formed by an array of the display blocks in the longitudinal direction, (c) determining whether or not to display to said display a predictive image indicating a change from said second specific symbol into said first specific symbol, (d) changing a rearranged second specific symbol into said first specific symbol after displaying said predictive image to said display, when said first specific symbol and said second specific symbol have been rearranged in any of the groups of the display blocks in said processing (b) and also when it has been determined in said processing (c) to display said predictive image, and (e) offering an award in accordance with the number of first specific symbols arranged in said symbol display region as a result of said processing (d).

3. A control method of a gaining machine, the method comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a symbol display region in which a plurality of display blocks are arranged in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction to form a matrix, to a display capable of displaying an image, (b) rearranging in each display block of said symbol display region a symbol that is selected from a first specific symbol, a second specific symbol different from said first specific symbol, and other symbols different from both said first specific symbol and said second specific symbol, the rearrangement occurring by scroll-displaying groups of the display blocks in the longitudinal direction on a group-by-group basis, each of which groups formed by an array of the display blocks in the longitudinal direction, (c) determining whether or not to display to said display a predictive image indicating a change from said second specific symbol into said first specific symbol, (d) changing a rearranged second specific symbol into said first specific symbol after displaying said predictive image to said display, when said first specific symbol and said second specific symbol have been rearranged in in any of the groups of the display blocks in said step (b) and also when it has been determined in said step (c) to display said predictive image, and (e) offering an award in accordance with the number of first specific symbols arranged in said symbol display region as a result of said step (d).

4. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein said controller is further programmed so as to execute the processing of (f) additionally displaying an image showing a sequential number in each display block where said first specific symbol has been arranged as a result of said processing (d).

5. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein said controller is further programmed so as to execute the processing of (f) additionally displaying an image showing a sequential number in each display block where said first specific symbol has been arranged as a result of said processing (d).

6. The control method of a gaming machine according to claim 3 , the method further including the step of (f) additionally displaying an image showing a sequential number in each display block where said first specific symbol has been arranged as a result of said step (d).